Industry News

As complete sales, service, and support subsidiaries of the Okuma Corporation, a world-leading single-source builder of machines and controllers, Okuma Australia and New Zealand specialise in the sales and servicing of highly efficient Okuma CNC machine tools, factory automation, and comprehensive support services. Both subsidiaries are wholly owned by Okuma Corporation in Japan. We are committed to delivering premier 'full service' distribution and lifetime support for Okuma CNC machines and computer numerically controlled (CNC) systems, equipping our customers with a complete suite of engineering capabilities. With a team of experienced engineers, Okuma Australia and New Zealand ensure timely and successful delivery of solutions tailored to each customer’s needs. Okuma’s presence in Australia and New Zealand dates back to the mid-1970s, making our machines some of the most trusted in the market. Visit us at Stand Number MT650 and witness first-hand Okuma machines actively cutting metal, probing and our new OSP-P500 controller! Our knowledgeable specialists will demonstrate…

AXT will showcase a full range of products for various stages throughout the additive manufacturing workflow, from metal powder production to 3D printing to final inspection. Whether your preference is metals, polymers, or ceramics, we have solutions for you. The Amazemet rePowder opens up many possibilities for metal AM researchers and producers. With the ability to transform virtually any metal, recycled powder, and failed parts into powders with customised properties, you can take control of your process. Utilising unique ultrasonic atomisation technology, it can also be used to create custom alloy compositions. You can then confirm alloy composition with the Exum Instruments Massbox, which employs pioneering LALI-TOF-MS technology to rapidly measure every element in the periodic table at every location. When it comes time to print metal parts, Aconity3D can provide LPBF systems to meet your requirements. With flexible and modular designs, multi-laser configurations, multi-material capabilities, and inline process monitoring, they can customise a system for you, ranging from academic research to industrial-scale printing. For polymer 3D printers seeking to exceed the capabilities of filament printers, we offer a range…

From 2024, commuters on sections of regional New South Wales began travelling on a state-of-the-art fleet of intercity trains. Named after the Dharug word for emu, the 610 carriages in the Mariyung fleet offer modern safety and advanced features for customers who make almost 45 million journeys a year on this network. To support these critical assets, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) constructed a 500,000 square metre depot at Kangy Angy, near the Central Coast. The TfNSW Intercity Fleet Maintenance Facility, which operates 24/7, features approximately 6 kilometres of electric rail lines and heavy equipment, including a 50-tonne wheel lathe. One of the core requirements for the facility was to implement a robust safety system, and CNFiTech was assigned the task of developing a flexible and functional design for a Depot Personnel Protection System (DPPS). The system needed to be SIL-2 rated, crafted using readily available proprietary safety hardware and software tools, and easy to…

A few years ago, Freighter Group, then named MaxiTRANS, seriously considered scrapping its heavy-duty truck trailer manufacturing business. It seemed an era was coming to an end at the Australian company, which had spent decades building up its production facilities, relying heavily on manual processes and a skilled workforce. Now, high labour costs and long lead times were eating into its profits, and it faced a crucial decision. But in a Herculean effort, the management team opted to transform the company’s old manufacturing facility into a Smart Factory. It figured it would take three tough years to turn things around – and now the company is seeing the first signs of success. Greg L’Estrange was working in the company’s facility in Ballarat when his phone rang. On the other end of the line was a forklift driver from the factory. “He asked me about one particular part. He wasn’t entirely sure where it was meant to go, but he had already worked out what he was going to do with it,” recalls L’Estrange, Executive…

High-efficiency diode lasers from Laserline look set to become pivotal for the nascent local battery industry as industry realises incentives under the government’s Future Made in Australia Act and National Battery Strategy. Economical, modular, high-power diode lasers from Laserline are setting new standards for efficiency in surface heat treatments, which are crucial to numerous manufacturing processes. These include hardening, curing powder coatings, and drying offset colours, as well as drying fuel cells and battery foils. Drying electrodes for lithium-ion batteries is the most expensive step in their production, incurring about 20% of the cost. Therefore, the latest efficiencies of laser drying could revolutionise battery production and other surface heat treatments. Laserline’s new OTX range of optics and high-efficiency diode lasers create extra-wide beams of 1.5 metres or more, ideal for heat-treating large surfaces required for electrode drying in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries. Dr Cedric Chaminade, Technical Director and physicist at Raymax Applications, which distributes Laserline’s diode lasers, says Raymax is excited to supply this technology to Australasia, where governments are backing manufacturing innovations toward clean energy and…

For the first time, metal cutting and manufacturing solutions expert Sandvik Coromant will attend Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW). Taking place May 6 to 9, 2025, at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MCEC), Sandvik Coromant will join its software partners, Vericut and Mastercam, to provide an advisory service to visitors looking to optimise their machine investment and tool management strategies. AMW2025 will showcase the latest advancements in the manufacturing sector, featuring over 400 exhibitors and thousands of visitors. The exhibition is divided into various zones, including machine tools, additive manufacturing, manufacturing solutions, and robotics and automation. Sandvik Coromant will be in the Manufacturing Solutions Zone, exhibiting from stand MS360. To provide visitors with a comprehensive solution overview, Vericut and Mastercam will share a stand with Sandvik Coromant. This collaboration offers visitors the chance to explore the latest advancements in digital manufacturing, machine investment strategies, and process engineering. Sandvik Coromant will host an advisory booth to consult visitors on optimising their machining challenges, offering solutions for complex components and supporting new projects. At the stand, Manufacturing Wellness- a term coined by Sandvik…

The wait is almost over! It's not too late to register and gather all your key exhibitors, stands, people, and attractions. Registrations are open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2025), held at the MCEC in Melbourne. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2025 will occupy more than 12,000 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 400 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. That's just about the whole venue. This is going to be huge! If you haven’t done so already, REGISTER NOW online to visit Australian Manufacturing Week in Melbourne and plan your days on the My Show Planner. After registering to visit AMW2025, you can log in and tap through to My Show Planner. The My Show Planner online tool has everything you need to make the most of your time at AMW2025 in Melbourne. My Show Planner is the AMW2025 visitors-side view of Map Your Show. You can connect with Exhibitors online, set up appointments and plan…

Lorch welding technology is once again setting new standards and benchmarks with the equipment and systems on show at AMW 2025. Digital interconnection in the industrial manufacturing and production environment is the pathway for the future and Lorch is already a leader. The iQS system, a brand new MIG-MAG inverter platform for industrial production welding, is the centrepiece, and live welding demonstrations will put it through its paces. The iQS combines access to data, state-of-the-art networking, and simple set-up and operation, setting the benchmark for state-of-the-art efficient and productive assembly and workshop welding. The second focus for Lorch is the continued application of Cobot welding technology in the production welding environment. Lorch Cobot world and the implementation of the flexible myCobot modules open up a wealth of solutions for businesses to solve specific welding requirements in the workshop. The third attraction at Lorch is the new addition to the MicorMIG family of welding solutions: MicorMIG Mobile. These machines combine the power and features of the MicorMIG series in a compact and portable size, suitable for…

Sydney-based Greensteel Australia has announced that it has placed an order with the leading global steelmaking infrastructure group Danieli Group to purchase stages two and three of its proposed ultra-low-carbon steel mill. The order, valued at over $1.6 billion, includes a direct reduced iron (DRI) plant, two electric arc furnaces, a structural steel rolling mill with high-speed rail capability, and a second rolling mill for reinforced steel (rebar). The order follows Greensteel’s placement of an initial order with Italy-based Danieli for the fabrication of a single reinforced steel (rebar) rolling mill in October of last year. The delivery of three mills, two arc furnaces, and a DRI plant is expected by late 2026 or early 2027. This will signify a crucial milestone in Greensteel’s plans to establish Australia’s first ultra-low-carbon steelmaking operation, enhancing the country’s sovereign steelmaking capability. Speaking at a contract-signing event in Adelaide, Mena Ibrahim, President and Executive Director of Greensteel, emphasised the company’s commitment to creating Australia’s most advanced steelmaking hub while also contributing to the decarbonization of heavy industry. “Danieli is the…

Multicam Systems is excited to be part of Australian Manufacturing Week in Melbourne, where we will showcase our latest CNC routing and cutting technologies designed to enhance precision, efficiency, and productivity for manufacturers across different industries. As a trusted Australian manufacturer of CNC solutions for over 30 years, we continue to innovate our machinery to the evolving needs of the industry. At this year’s show, we will showcase a variety of our CNC machines, featuring live demonstrations that allow you to witness their precision, speed, and versatility firsthand. Our Multicam CNC routers come in various sizes, with processing areas starting from 1200mm x 1200mm and 2400mm x 1200mm. Larger and custom sizes are also available to meet your specific needs. These machines can be equipped with a range of accessories, including vacuum hold-down beds, fully automatic tool changers, automatic loading and unloading attachments, mist cooling, chip extraction, multiple drill heads, tangential-oscillating knife attachments, and more. Their ability to seamlessly integrate with software programs such as EnRoute, Fusion360, SolidWorks, and many others makes Multicam CNC routers a valuable…

Since its founding in 1898, Gühring has been at the forefront of precision cutting tool innovation, setting industry standards in quality, performance, and reliability. With a legacy spanning over 125 years, Gühring has established itself as a global leader in developing high-performance tools for industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and general engineering. Recognising the growing demand for advanced tooling solutions in Australia, Gühring expanded its global footprint and established Guhring Australia (Guhring Pty. Ltd.) in 1989 in Victoria. This strategic move was driven by a commitment to support Australian manufacturers with state-of-the-art tooling technology and local expertise. Over the past three decades, Guhring Australia has played a pivotal role in enhancing productivity and efficiency across a wide range of industries. Commitment to innovation and local manufacturing Guhring Australia has continually invested in their research, development, and manufacturing capabilities to meet the evolving needs of local industries. Equipped with cutting-edge CNC tool grinding machines, a PVD coating machine, and a support team of highly skilled engineers, Guhring Australia provides tailored tooling solutions that enhance machining performance and reduce production costs. The Guhring Compression…

Few people would disagree that we live in difficult and uncertain economic times. According to AMW exhibitor TXM Lean Solutions, this is not the time to stop focusing on improving business performance. Instead, businesses need a renewed focus on Lean and improvement to stay competitive and prepare themselves for recovery when it comes. TXM has identified three areas where businesses can focus to make gains when the financial going is tough. Reduce lead time Reducing lead time allows businesses to become more responsive to customer demands, particularly during economic slowdowns when customers have more options. The faster a business can fulfil orders, the more competitive it becomes, whether the economy is up or down. Shorter lead times also free up cash by reducing the time between spending money on raw materials and receiving payment from customers. A key tactic for reducing lead time is to work with suppliers to shorten order lead times, ultimately lowering your inventory. Start by mapping your end-to-end process using tools like the Manufacturing Agility Process® to identify areas for improvement and develop a plan to reduce lead…

The Navigating Defence: Industry Handbook has been created in conjunction with BAE Systems Australia’s Navigating Defence Series training and education program to support the development of Australia’s defence industry. It is designed as a resource for leaders of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are starting their journey in the defence industry and wish to understand the requirements and available support. We recognise that the Australian Defence sector offers a unique yet challenging opportunity for businesses of all sizes to succeed. Navigating the complexities of supply can be daunting for small businesses, particularly those unfamiliar with the industry's unique requirements, regulations, and restrictions. Businesses often confront intricate and lengthy procurement processes, strict regulatory compliance, certification and security clearance requirements, and export controls, which create high barriers to entry and can complicate efforts for businesses to enter the sector. However, securing defence contracts can offer long-term and far-reaching benefits for businesses, providing substantial, multi-year revenue streams, an enhanced reputation in non-defence sectors, and opportunities to supply and operate in new international markets. This comprehensive Industry Handbooks will provide…